Will a torn muscle show up on an MRI?

Asked by: Alanis Bernhard IV  |  Last update: February 9, 2026
Score: 5/5 (49 votes)

Yes, an MRI can clearly show a muscle strain by revealing inflammation (edema/fluid), bleeding (hematoma), or tears, helping doctors pinpoint the location, severity (Grade 1, 2, or 3), and extent of damage, which guides treatment, although for minor strains, clinical assessment often suffices.

Can an MRI tell if you have a torn muscle?

But an X-ray will not tell your provider what's happening in the soft tissues in your back, calf or thigh. To see any tears or other damage to your muscles and tendons and possibly ligaments, he or she will need to order an MRI scan, also called magnetic resonance imaging.

Is MRI safe for toddlers?

Yes, MRI scans are very safe for toddlers, using magnets and radio waves, not radiation, to create images, but typically require sedation or anesthesia to keep the child still, with risks managed by expert medical staff who also screen for metal implants or contrast dye reactions. Specialized pediatric MRI facilities focus on making the experience less scary, often allowing a parent to stay and providing distraction tools.
 

How do they do an MRI on the elbow?

During the exam you will be placed on a table and positioned inside the center of a large tube-like scanner with openings at both ends. The affected elbow will then be placed in an MRI coil, which is a padded device that helps us gather high-quality images of a specific body part and is essential in generating images.

Do you need an MRI for rotator cuff injury?

MRI scans are the preferred method to diagnose shoulder injuries, including a torn rotator cuff, because they are non-invasive and do not use radiation. An MRI will also show an assessment of the surrounding structures and conditions of your shoulder joint.

Will MRI Show Muscle Damage? - Pain Medicine Network

32 related questions found

What are two warning signs of a rotator cuff tear?

Two major warning signs of a rotator cuff tear are persistent shoulder pain, especially at night or when lifting/lowering your arm, and weakness or difficulty when trying to lift or move your arm, often accompanied by clicking or crackling sensations during motion.
 

Why do doctors prefer CT over MRI?

Generally, CT scans are better at spatial resolution, while MRIs are better at contrast resolution. That means CT scans are good at showing us where the edges of things are — where this structure ends and that other one begins.

Can you see inflammation on an MRI?

An MRI can detect early signs of inflammation in the tendons, ligaments, and soft tissues surrounding your joints. Inflammation will appear swollen, thickened and grey compared to healthier, darker tissues.

Does MRI show nerve damage in the arm?

Although MRI cannot directly visualize nerve tissue in the same way it shows bones or muscles, it can reveal the structures surrounding the nerves and any conditions that may be affecting them.

Do kids go under anesthesia for MRI?

If your child needs an MRI, your physician may determine due to age or developmental level a sedated MRI would provide a better image. Many children cannot remain still for an MRI and require medication to help them relax or sleep during the procedure.

Are MRIS 100% safe?

Because radiation is not used, there is no risk of exposure to radiation during an MRI procedure. However, due to the use of the strong magnet, MRI cannot be performed on patients with: Implanted pacemakers. Intracranial aneurysm clips.

How many hours is an MRI scan?

Unlike X-rays or computed tomography (CT scans), MRI does not use ionizing radiation. Some MRI machines look like narrow tunnels, while others are more spacious or wider. MRI scans can last from 30 minutes to two hours.

How do you confirm a torn muscle?

Symptoms of a pulled or torn muscle include:

  1. Muscle pain.
  2. Muscle spasms.
  3. Bruising.
  4. Swelling.
  5. Muscle weakness.
  6. Limited range of motion.
  7. Feeling a “pop” during the injury.
  8. Seeing a gap or dent in the shape of the muscle.

Does soft tissue damage show up on MRI?

MRI is invaluable for detecting soft tissue injuries such as: Muscle strains: MRI can reveal tears or strains in muscles that are causing ongoing pain, especially in the back, legs, or arms.

What are red flag symptoms of tennis elbow?

You should schedule an evaluation with a sports medicine specialist if you experience:

  • Persistent pain lasting longer than two weeks.
  • Pain that worsens during or after activity.
  • Difficulty gripping or extending the arm.
  • Numbness, tingling, or swelling around the elbow.

Can an MRI tell if you have tendonitis?

Tendon Injuries: MRI scans can detect tendonitis, tendon ruptures, and overuse injuries. Other Soft Tissue Abnormalities: Including muscle tears, bursitis, and soft tissue tumors.

What is mistaken for tennis elbow?

Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) can be mistaken for conditions like radial tunnel syndrome, golfer's elbow, elbow arthritis, olecranon bursitis, and even nerve issues from the neck (cervical radiculopathy), as they all cause pain around the elbow, but differ in exact location (inside vs. outside), nerve involvement, or underlying cause like joint inflammation. Differentiating symptoms include sharp versus achy pain, tingling/numbness, swelling, or pain that occurs without movement, all pointing to different diagnoses.
 

What if MRI shows nothing but still in pain?

If an MRI shows nothing but you still have pain, it means the issue isn't a major structural problem visible in a static scan, but the pain is real, stemming from factors like nerve irritation, inflammation, joint instability, muscle dysfunction, or subtle tissue damage not seen on MRI, requiring further investigation like nerve studies, dynamic ultrasound, different imaging, or a second opinion to find the root cause. Don't stop seeking answers; document symptoms thoroughly and work with your doctor for specialized tests or a fresh perspective. 

What does a white mass on an MRI mean?

White matter lesions, visualized as hyperintensities on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, signify abnormal myelination in the brain and serve as markers for small vessel disease.

Will MRI show tight muscles?

An MRI scan is a valuable medical imaging technique for diagnosing muscle knots because it provides a detailed view of your body's soft tissues, including your muscles and the surrounding structures. MRI can help identify any underlying issues, such as inflammation or damage, contributing to the muscle knots.

Why are doctors so reluctant to order MRI?

Doctors avoid unnecessary MRIs due to high costs, potential for finding insignificant abnormalities (leading to more tests/anxiety), insurance hurdles, and the fact that many issues (like back pain) resolve on their own; also, strong magnets pose risks for patients with certain metal implants, and MRIs aren't always best for bones or acute emergencies compared to CT scans. 

What organs are best viewed by MRI?

MR imaging of the body evaluates: organs in the abdomen—including the liver, kidneys, spleen, bowel, pancreas, and adrenal glands. pelvic organs including the bladder and the reproductive organs. blood vessels (this may require a specific type of MRI called MR Angiography or MR venogram)

Which is costly, CT or MRI?

MRIs are more expensive than CT scans. Most insurance companies, however, will cover the bulk of any necessary imaging tests and only require patients to pay a copay or small portion of the exam.